Palmetto Woodturners is excited to present Jeff Hornung!
Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri. St. Louis is his home, stomping grounds, and sometimes the source of his current canvas…wood.
Starting in 1984 he watched, helped and then worked in the family ceramics business. Casting, cleaning greenware, glazing, running kilns and sweeping up. In 1991 the business morphed into a retail florist, and I worked my way up to Lead Fresh Floral Designer. I still carry an FTD Master Floral Designer certification and worked in the industry for 24 years. During these years I was also a musician (piano, sax, bassoon and bass guitar) and a Dj, running my own mobile company and working in 2 popular local clubs.
In spring of 2011 all of that changed. A car accident caused a minor concussion and major post-concussion syndrome complications that created a physical disconnect between his creative mind and the logical side. Creativity was literally “turned off” for most of 18 months. His wife “made” me take a class at John C Campbell Folk School to get away and relax for a week. Woodturning was what I picked even though I had no experience but could probably identify a lathe if I saw one in a catalog. First day of class he really didn’t want to be there and had a serious headache. They had spent a lot of money to get there so he decided to just give it a try. Now, he is sure this is not what actually happened but the way he remembers it is the moment the tool touched the first piece, his headache stopped. He had an old wobbly lathe lined up off Craigslist by the time they got home and have not looked back. He really started working on making pens as that is all he could do with the equipment he had. With some experience and confidence, he bought more equipment and ended up going back to John C Campbell for another week of class. For the record, JCCFS is now one of his absolute most favorite places on the planet and has been there six times -- the last two trips I was the Assistant Woodturning Instructor in a class run by Kirk DeHeer.
Like many, he started as a hobby turner. Trying to learn and understand the craft, sharing things when I could and enjoying the ride. As things happen people wanted to buy some of the items he turned. He decided that he also wanted to sell supplies to other woodturners. His company, The Walnut Log, was formed in 2014 and provides a wide range of products for woodturners.
As he developed and evolved as a woodturner, he began teaching others. One of the best ways to share what you’re passionate about is to teach. Local demos turned into travelling demos. Those lead into National and International Symposiums demonstrations as well. He is co-chair of the Woodworking Studio and one of the woodturning instructors at Craft Alliance School of Art and Craft in St. Louis, and loves being able to share what he has learned with his students.
Hands-on Class
September 6, 2024, from 8:00am to 5:00pm.
Mann Tool & Supply, 802 Chris Drive, West Columbia, SC 29169
What: Bronze bowl or platter
Cost: $100.00
Class Description – (10 students max)
Bronze Bowl, Platter: Reactive metallic paints are discussed as well as form, chucking options and techniques to create the illusion of a weathered bronze piece.
Demonstration
September 7, 2024 (8:30am to 1:00pm - demonstration starts at 9:00am)
Mann Tool & Supply, 802 Chris Drive, West Columbia, SC 29169
Cost: $15 (You must have paid your yearly dues)